A week had passed. Leaves scattered all across the ground as fall decided to take place. People started sporting bigger and warmer clothes for the up coming weather. But that wasn't what was important. What was important was what was coming up. October 10th was one of the happiest and saddest day that Konoha. It was the day the Yondaime rid Konoha of the most feared monster Konoha faced.
Sadly, the Yondaime had to give up his life to do this. Another negative was that the Kyuubi was never killed. It was just sealed into a baby boy. But enough about that, i'm sure you've read a story that wrote about the samething i'm talking about. The real, real important thing was that a certain ninja's birthday was on the exact same day. He was turning 16. For most people this would be one of the most exciting days of their lives.
Too bad Naruto couldn't enjoy it. Naruto had never had a real birthday party. Naruto had never had presents or even a birthday cake. Naruto had always wanted to go to the festival that always took place on his birthday. You might ask why he didn't. It wasn't like people would attack him. Give him evil looks. Ignore him. Sure. But they would never cross the line and attack him.
Well, here is the way Naruto saw it. If the villagers didn't want him around on a regular day why would they want him around on this special day? Plus what if it slipped? What if one drunken villager stepped up and decided to get the balls to call him a demon in front of everybody? In front of his friends? What would they think? Would they not care? What they desert him? It was a risk Naruto didn't want to take.
He would just play if safe like always and enjoy his birthday by himself like he always did...That was his plan, until and blonde reared her pretty head.
"Hey Naruto, who are you gonna go with to the festival?" Ino asked as they sat on the couch watching T.V.
Ino's watched for Naruto's exppression. She wanted to make Naruto squirm. While she was grateful for Naruto convincing Anko to train her to become a interrorgator Anko's training was brutal. Ino had come back the first day of training sporting a shiny black eye and a busted lip. This wouldd just be payback. Plus, she wanted to see who he wanted to go with. Her heart bagged for it to be her but her pride still said "Remember! This is Naruto. We agreed we would only date the best and Naruto is far from it."
To Ino's confusion Naruto's eyes seemed to widen and sadness took over for a brief moment. But his eyes soon returned back to normal.
"I don't think i'm gonna go." Naruto said and changed the channel.
Ino seemed confused. Naruto didn't seem like the type of person to pass up a party to Ino.
"Well why not? You could use a good time Naruto. All you ever do is train." Ino said.
Naruto needed to come up with a lie and quick. But it had to be believable.
"Um, you see the truth is I can''t...." Naruto dragged on as he started to sweat under Ino's confused gaze.
And then it hit him. This time, he would tell the truth.
"...I can't go because I don't have a date." Naruto said.
Naruto thought this would be enough for Ino. Oh how wrong he was.
"Well I don't either...sooooo we should go together." Ino said in more of a question tone then a statement.
Everything for Ino seemed to freeze. Ino heard two 'poofs' as Angle-Ino and Devil-Ino appeared on her shoulders.
"You guys again?" Ino asked.
"Yes and i've come to give you a peice of my mind!" Devil-Ino growled.
"Don't listen to her Ino. You did the right thing." Angle-Ino said.
Ino smiled, but it was short lived.
"The right thing? Who cares what the right thing is! Doing the right thing gets you nothing!" Devil-Ino yelled.
Part of Ino agreed. Playing by the rules and doing the right thing never got you right.
"Yeah, well last time you didn't do the right thing you lost your best friend. Do you really want to lose Naruto too?" Angle-Ino asked.
"But this is Naruto! What would everyone think if they found out you like Naruto?! You would take a nosedive off the social ladder." Devil-Ino Aruged.
"Who cares what other people think! Ino, I represent your heart. I know how you feel when you and Naruto are hanging out. I know how your heart skips a beat when he smiles or laughs. Just think, you are a ninja. Life is too short to worry about how popular you are!" Angle-Ino said.
Ino and Devil-Ino just stared at Angle-Ino wide eye.
"I won't let your pride steer you wrong this time. Just trust me Ino." Angle-Ino said.
"But what if he doesn't like me back?" Ino asked.
Ino wasn't one to fall for a guy. She always wanted guys to fall for her. And the normal guys would. But Naruto wasn't like everyother guy. He was special.
"Since when has that stopped you from going after that Uchiha!? You can have any man you won't. Naruto is no different. Just go get him!" Angle-Ino said and smiled.
Ino smiled and nodded "You're right."
"Sorry pride. I gotta choose my heart on this one." Ino said.
Devil-Ino just stuck out her tongue and 'poofed' away. Angle-Ino laughed and 'poofed' away.
When Ino came back to reality Naruto's face was inches away from Ino's.
"Yo Ino. I've been calling your name for about 5 minutes." Naruto said.
Ino turned 5 shades of red. Ino let out a girl-ish scream and rammed her head foward right into Naruto's. Naruto instantly flew off the couch and was laying on the floor with swirls in his eyes.
"Some umm Naruto...wanna go to the festival together?" Ino said as she nervously scratched the back of her head just like Naruto ofter did.